Voyage autour du monde, par la frégate du roi la Boudeuse, et la flûte l’Etoile; en 1766, 1767, 1768 & 1769.

Saillant & Nyon, Paris, 1771

First edition of Louis Antoine de Bougainville’s account of his famous circumnavigation between 1766 and 1769.

Description: Near contemp. green and brown morocco, separated with gilt fillet; spine with 4 raised bands decorated with gilt fillets; gilt titling on spine. Brown marbled endpapers. Quarto: 27 × 20 cm; [4] ll., 417, [3] pp. With 20 maps (17 fold-outs, incl. the large world map) and 3 engraved plates.

Ref.: Brunet i, 1167; Hill p.31; Sabin ii, 6864

Condition: Boards somewhat rubbed and bumped. Pages slightly yellowed with age, occasional light mainly marginal spotting, some maps slightly tanned.

Notes: French Navy admiral and diplomat Louis Antoine de Bougainville (1729–1811) was commissioned by Louis XV in 1766 to circle the Earth in a voyage of exploration with the frigates La Boudeuse and L’Etoile. The purpose of this expedition was to explore the Pacific, especially the Australian coast and New Guinea, to examine the geographical and ecological conditions for economic benefit and to extend the influence of the French crown by seizing land. From an economic point of view, the journey was not very successful, but in Europe, the description of Tahiti shaped the image of the island as a paradise where people seem to live free of constraints. Bouganville's travelogue became a bestseller that spread throughout Europe and the myth of the South Seas continues to inspire philosophers, artists and writers to this day.